Mert Kartal
@mertkartal.bsky.social
* Associate Prof. of Political Science, St. Lawrence University
* Good Authority Fellow
* Transparency International Consultant
* International organization; the EU; good governance, corruption, populism in Europe, and a bit of Turkey
* 💛💙Fenerbahçe💛💙
* Good Authority Fellow
* Transparency International Consultant
* International organization; the EU; good governance, corruption, populism in Europe, and a bit of Turkey
* 💛💙Fenerbahçe💛💙
The #EU just released its annual review of potential members: tinyurl.com/24u3kxze
Here is a table summarizing where each country stands: #Albania and #Montenegro are the closest to eventual membership. #Georgia, #Serbia, and #Turkiye appear the furthest. The others fall somewhere in between.
Here is a table summarizing where each country stands: #Albania and #Montenegro are the closest to eventual membership. #Georgia, #Serbia, and #Turkiye appear the furthest. The others fall somewhere in between.
November 5, 2025 at 10:44 PM
The #EU just released its annual review of potential members: tinyurl.com/24u3kxze
Here is a table summarizing where each country stands: #Albania and #Montenegro are the closest to eventual membership. #Georgia, #Serbia, and #Turkiye appear the furthest. The others fall somewhere in between.
Here is a table summarizing where each country stands: #Albania and #Montenegro are the closest to eventual membership. #Georgia, #Serbia, and #Turkiye appear the furthest. The others fall somewhere in between.
In Turkish, “ABD” stands for “Amerika Birleşik Devletleri” (United States of America).
During yesterday’s friendly game between the U.S. and Turkey, the Turkish broadcaster spelled it out as “Amerika Bir. Dev.” (“America A Giant”), instead of using the standard “ABD” abbreviation. 🤷♂️
During yesterday’s friendly game between the U.S. and Turkey, the Turkish broadcaster spelled it out as “Amerika Bir. Dev.” (“America A Giant”), instead of using the standard “ABD” abbreviation. 🤷♂️
June 8, 2025 at 4:28 PM
In Turkish, “ABD” stands for “Amerika Birleşik Devletleri” (United States of America).
During yesterday’s friendly game between the U.S. and Turkey, the Turkish broadcaster spelled it out as “Amerika Bir. Dev.” (“America A Giant”), instead of using the standard “ABD” abbreviation. 🤷♂️
During yesterday’s friendly game between the U.S. and Turkey, the Turkish broadcaster spelled it out as “Amerika Bir. Dev.” (“America A Giant”), instead of using the standard “ABD” abbreviation. 🤷♂️
3. Many parties once described as “right-wing populist” in Europe have steadily shifted into the far-right: popu-list.org?amp=1
For the first time in modern European history, they are the most popular political party family by vote share across the continent.
www.economist.com/graphic-deta...
For the first time in modern European history, they are the most popular political party family by vote share across the continent.
www.economist.com/graphic-deta...
June 1, 2025 at 6:09 AM
3. Many parties once described as “right-wing populist” in Europe have steadily shifted into the far-right: popu-list.org?amp=1
For the first time in modern European history, they are the most popular political party family by vote share across the continent.
www.economist.com/graphic-deta...
For the first time in modern European history, they are the most popular political party family by vote share across the continent.
www.economist.com/graphic-deta...
2. Although they fall under the same label, right-wing populist parties in Europe vary significantly in their policy positions. There is no unified stance on the US, Russia, the EU, or NATO. Their positions depend on national context, leadership, strategic goals, etc.
www.gmfus.org/news/how-inf...
www.gmfus.org/news/how-inf...
June 1, 2025 at 6:09 AM
2. Although they fall under the same label, right-wing populist parties in Europe vary significantly in their policy positions. There is no unified stance on the US, Russia, the EU, or NATO. Their positions depend on national context, leadership, strategic goals, etc.
www.gmfus.org/news/how-inf...
www.gmfus.org/news/how-inf...
Three quick notes about “populism” in Europe:
1. In Europe, left-wing populism exists and has gotten relatively stronger/more visible in some countries. Still, it has limited relevance across the continent.
popu-list.org/wp-content/u...
1. In Europe, left-wing populism exists and has gotten relatively stronger/more visible in some countries. Still, it has limited relevance across the continent.
popu-list.org/wp-content/u...
June 1, 2025 at 6:09 AM
Three quick notes about “populism” in Europe:
1. In Europe, left-wing populism exists and has gotten relatively stronger/more visible in some countries. Still, it has limited relevance across the continent.
popu-list.org/wp-content/u...
1. In Europe, left-wing populism exists and has gotten relatively stronger/more visible in some countries. Still, it has limited relevance across the continent.
popu-list.org/wp-content/u...
Now the Champions League, soon the Euroleague!
May 31, 2025 at 11:45 PM
Now the Champions League, soon the Euroleague!
As expected, Europe is moving in to fill the gap the US seems determined to leave in higher education.
May 29, 2025 at 3:31 PM
As expected, Europe is moving in to fill the gap the US seems determined to leave in higher education.
Art 7(2): The European Council must first unanimously confirm a breach.
Art 7(3): Sanctions then require QMV (55% of states representing 65% of the EU population.)
Depending on the members, support from 22 members may not always suffice: euvote.eu
Source: eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-conten...
Art 7(3): Sanctions then require QMV (55% of states representing 65% of the EU population.)
Depending on the members, support from 22 members may not always suffice: euvote.eu
Source: eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-conten...
May 27, 2025 at 4:03 PM
Art 7(2): The European Council must first unanimously confirm a breach.
Art 7(3): Sanctions then require QMV (55% of states representing 65% of the EU population.)
Depending on the members, support from 22 members may not always suffice: euvote.eu
Source: eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-conten...
Art 7(3): Sanctions then require QMV (55% of states representing 65% of the EU population.)
Depending on the members, support from 22 members may not always suffice: euvote.eu
Source: eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-conten...
The US is rapidly losing one key defining feature that has long set it apart as a unique superpower. And it is doing so by its own hand. 🤯
Source: www.economist.com/science-and-...
Source: www.economist.com/science-and-...
May 27, 2025 at 12:18 AM
The US is rapidly losing one key defining feature that has long set it apart as a unique superpower. And it is doing so by its own hand. 🤯
Source: www.economist.com/science-and-...
Source: www.economist.com/science-and-...
“Harvard can no longer enroll foreign students and existing foreign students must transfer or lose their legal status.”
Unless reversed (soon), this decision will likely have massive implications for international students across all US institutions.
Unless reversed (soon), this decision will likely have massive implications for international students across all US institutions.
May 22, 2025 at 7:41 PM
“Harvard can no longer enroll foreign students and existing foreign students must transfer or lose their legal status.”
Unless reversed (soon), this decision will likely have massive implications for international students across all US institutions.
Unless reversed (soon), this decision will likely have massive implications for international students across all US institutions.
In 2018, Qatar “donated” an airplane also to Turkey. President Erdogan said the plane was not his personally but belonged to the Republic of 🇹🇷 He added Qatar had refused payment & insisted it was a gift.
I’m sure my colleagues with expertise in 🇹🇷 can speak to how things have unfolded since then.
I’m sure my colleagues with expertise in 🇹🇷 can speak to how things have unfolded since then.
May 13, 2025 at 12:11 AM
In 2018, Qatar “donated” an airplane also to Turkey. President Erdogan said the plane was not his personally but belonged to the Republic of 🇹🇷 He added Qatar had refused payment & insisted it was a gift.
I’m sure my colleagues with expertise in 🇹🇷 can speak to how things have unfolded since then.
I’m sure my colleagues with expertise in 🇹🇷 can speak to how things have unfolded since then.
… who might succeed Merz (especially if his term is short-lived) is more crucial than ever.
A recent public opinion poll shows the far-right AfD leading for the first time, with 26% support. Merz’s CDU/CSU has already slipped to 25%.
Source: www.ipsos.com/de-de/meinun...
A recent public opinion poll shows the far-right AfD leading for the first time, with 26% support. Merz’s CDU/CSU has already slipped to 25%.
Source: www.ipsos.com/de-de/meinun...
May 6, 2025 at 3:08 PM
… who might succeed Merz (especially if his term is short-lived) is more crucial than ever.
A recent public opinion poll shows the far-right AfD leading for the first time, with 26% support. Merz’s CDU/CSU has already slipped to 25%.
Source: www.ipsos.com/de-de/meinun...
A recent public opinion poll shows the far-right AfD leading for the first time, with 26% support. Merz’s CDU/CSU has already slipped to 25%.
Source: www.ipsos.com/de-de/meinun...
The 2025 @rsf.org World Press Freedom Index is out!
🔹For the first time, journalism is “bad” in half the world.
🔹Under 1% of the world lives where press freedom is fully guaranteed.
🔹Only 7 countries have "good" press freedom: Norway, Estonia, Netherlands, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Ireland.
🔹For the first time, journalism is “bad” in half the world.
🔹Under 1% of the world lives where press freedom is fully guaranteed.
🔹Only 7 countries have "good" press freedom: Norway, Estonia, Netherlands, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Ireland.
May 2, 2025 at 7:34 PM
The 2025 @rsf.org World Press Freedom Index is out!
🔹For the first time, journalism is “bad” in half the world.
🔹Under 1% of the world lives where press freedom is fully guaranteed.
🔹Only 7 countries have "good" press freedom: Norway, Estonia, Netherlands, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Ireland.
🔹For the first time, journalism is “bad” in half the world.
🔹Under 1% of the world lives where press freedom is fully guaranteed.
🔹Only 7 countries have "good" press freedom: Norway, Estonia, Netherlands, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Ireland.
Given the increasing number of commentaries comparing Le Pen to İmamoğlu, I realize I could’ve just written a piece on why they’re not remotely comparable. But honestly, it would've been short since the why is obvious: ⬇️ via @vdeminstitute.bsky.social
April 20, 2025 at 5:21 PM
Given the increasing number of commentaries comparing Le Pen to İmamoğlu, I realize I could’ve just written a piece on why they’re not remotely comparable. But honestly, it would've been short since the why is obvious: ⬇️ via @vdeminstitute.bsky.social
April 10, 2025 at 4:28 AM
April 9, 2025 at 6:11 PM
March 26, 2025 at 10:12 PM
If Canada were already an EU member, it would rank last (alongside Poland where only 44% believe their country "could better face the future" within the EU than outside it).
(Source: tinyurl.com/4m97s7sn)
3/4
(Source: tinyurl.com/4m97s7sn)
3/4
March 11, 2025 at 8:24 PM
If Canada were already an EU member, it would rank last (alongside Poland where only 44% believe their country "could better face the future" within the EU than outside it).
(Source: tinyurl.com/4m97s7sn)
3/4
(Source: tinyurl.com/4m97s7sn)
3/4
If Canada were an EU candidate today, it would rank 2nd from the bottom in support for membership, above Serbia (32%) but below Moldova and Turkey (47%). ⬇️
(Source: tinyurl.com/4m97s7sn)
2/4
(Source: tinyurl.com/4m97s7sn)
2/4
March 11, 2025 at 8:24 PM
If Canada were an EU candidate today, it would rank 2nd from the bottom in support for membership, above Serbia (32%) but below Moldova and Turkey (47%). ⬇️
(Source: tinyurl.com/4m97s7sn)
2/4
(Source: tinyurl.com/4m97s7sn)
2/4
Given Canadians’ voting intentions in the next election ⬇️, I am not sure this is the kind of political landscape they would be eager to join.
www.economist.com/the-americas...
www.economist.com/the-americas...
March 9, 2025 at 12:37 PM
Given Canadians’ voting intentions in the next election ⬇️, I am not sure this is the kind of political landscape they would be eager to join.
www.economist.com/the-americas...
www.economist.com/the-americas...
… for the first time ever, far-right parties now hold the largest share of support among all political groups in Europe.
Current support for the far-right in individual countries looks even more alarming ⬇️
Source: @economist.com
Current support for the far-right in individual countries looks even more alarming ⬇️
Source: @economist.com
March 9, 2025 at 12:37 PM
… for the first time ever, far-right parties now hold the largest share of support among all political groups in Europe.
Current support for the far-right in individual countries looks even more alarming ⬇️
Source: @economist.com
Current support for the far-right in individual countries looks even more alarming ⬇️
Source: @economist.com
According to @vdeminstitute.bsky.social's "Political Corruption" indicator, Hungary scores 0.51 (out of 1) on corruption. 7 of the 9 current official EU candidates fare even worse than Hungary, and that says a lot!
January 23, 2025 at 5:49 PM
According to @vdeminstitute.bsky.social's "Political Corruption" indicator, Hungary scores 0.51 (out of 1) on corruption. 7 of the 9 current official EU candidates fare even worse than Hungary, and that says a lot!